Colossians More Jesus

Sunday, October 12th 2025

Colossians 3:1-17

Introduction

A Manifesto for Christian Living – Put Off, Put On

“Christianity is not a set of abstract doctrines but a new way of life that flows from union with Christ. Paul does not simply say, ‘Think lofty thoughts.’ He says, ‘Because Christ is your life, live like it.” Kent Hughes

“The gospel is not advice about what we must do, but news about what has been done for us. Yet when this news is believed, it changes everything—how we think, how we feel, how we live.”

1. The Foundation of the New Life (v.1–4)

“If then you have been raised with Christ…”

It assumes reality: believers have been raised with Christ. Our spiritual resurrection is as real as Christ’s bodily resurrection.

“We are to seek the things above not to escape earthly reality but to bring heavenly reality to bear upon it.” Kent Hughes

“Union with Christ means that what is true of Him is legally and spiritually true of you. When He was raised, you were raised. When He died, you died. This identity reshapes everything.” Tim Keller

Seek and Set - Two imperatives follow: “seek the things above” (v.1) and “set your minds on things above” (v.2). The first is about pursuit (affections and desires); the second is about mindset (thoughts and focus).

Hidden Life, Revealed Glory - Paul adds that our “life is hidden with Christ in God” (v.3). Hidden means secure, concealed, and protected. Our true life is invisible to the world but secure in Christ. And when Christ appears, our hidden life will be revealed in glory (v.4).

“Your real self is hidden with Christ, not with your résumé, not with your achievements, not with your possessions. Only when He appears will you appear as you truly are.” Tim Keller

1. Putting to Death the Old Self (v.5–11)

Mortification: “Put to death”

Paul uses stark language: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you” (v.5).

“The failure to deal ruthlessly with sin is the reason many Christians are spiritually anemic. Paul is not calling for casual resistance but for execution.” Kent Hughes

Sexual sins—'sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness which is idolatry.’

Relational Sins - “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk from your mouth and lying. Relationally destructive sins that fracture community!

“Paul moves from sensual sins to social sins. The community of Christ cannot flourish when bitterness and slander abound.” Kent Hughes

v.9-11 - New Self in Christ/Radical Equality in Christ

• Putting On the New Self (v.12–14)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved”

Paul grounds his exhortation in identity. Before commands come affirmations.

“The indicative (what God has done) always precedes the imperative (what we must do). Grace is the foundation of change.” Tim Keller

Virtues of the New Self - Paul lists virtues that mirror Christ: Compassionate hearts, Kindness, Humility, Meekness, Patience - These are relational virtues that sustain community.

“The Christian wardrobe is Christ Himself. Each of these qualities is a reflection of His character.” Kent Hughes

Forbearance and Forgiveness

“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you.” - Forgiveness is not optional but modeled after Christ’s forgiveness.

“You can only forgive deeply if you see how much you’ve been forgiven. If your forgiveness cost Christ His life, how can you withhold forgiveness from others?” T.K.

Love: The Bond of Perfection

“Above all put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Paul crowns the virtues with love. Love is the glue of Christian community.

1. The Peace, Word, and Name of Christ (v.15–17)

Peace of Christ

“let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body”

Word of Christ

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”

Name of Christ

“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Conclusion: A Christ-Centered Community

“The church that lives out Colossians 3 will be a community where heaven touches earth, where Christ is preeminent not only in doctrine but in daily practice.” K. Hughes